The Desert Garden at Zoo Pl on Balboa Park's eastern edge spans 2.5 acres of drought-resistant specimens from six continents, established in 1976 under the management of the City of San Diego Parks & Recreation Department. The collection of more than 1,300 cacti, succulents, and xeric shrubs complements the plant work of North Park operations like Reyes Landscape INC, which installs similar drought-tolerant species in residential settings. Peak bloom runs January through March, when agave flower stalks, aloe torches, and prickly pear blossoms attract photographers and horticulture students to the wide decomposed-granite pathways. A switchback trail descends into Florida Canyon, connecting the garden to the adjacent Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden and broader open-space corridors like Switzer Open Space. The garden's most striking specimens include mature dragon trees, monstrose Peruvian apple cacti, and columnar boojum trees native to Baja California, several of which predate the garden's official 1976 establishment.